For this project you will need:
Object to draw (I used shells)
Biro or roller ball pen (any colour. I used black)
Drawing paper – smooth paper is best.
This project can take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes, depending on the amount of detail you want to add.
Observe your shell and its shape closely first!
(You may want to create a pencil sketch on another page first to practise ‘getting our eye in’ before you start.)
Lightly sketch the basic shape.
Work over your initial study adding in any darker areas and defining the shape.
Continue to build up your marks. Remember, you are sketching the dark areas and leaving the shapes of the lighter sections.
Take care with your mark-making. Use marks that represent the texture as well as the tones. Make use the direction of your marks also explains the form of the shell. E.g. used curved lines or straight hatching marks.
Build up your layers. You will be surprised how dark you can get!
Download tutorial
Share your finished project on the Student Chatroom!